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Franklin Pierce AdamsAmerican journalist
Date of Birth: 15.11.1881
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Biography of Franklin Pierce Adams
- Journalism Career
- Conning Tower Column
- Aptronym and Radio Show
- Legacy and Death
Biography of Franklin Pierce Adams
Franklin Pierce Adams, better known as F.P. Adams, was an American journalist and writer. He was born on November 15, 1881, in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Clara Schlossberg Adams, and his father, Moses Adams, raised him in a loving family. At the age of 13, he changed his middle name from Leopold to Pierce. He completed his education at Armour Scientific Academy in 1899 and then attended the University of Michigan for a year before pursuing a career in the insurance industry.

Journalism Career
In 1903, Adams signed a contract with the "Chicago Journal" and began writing a column that quickly gained a humorous tone and was renamed "A Little about Everything." The following year, he joined the "New York Evening Mail" where he wrote the column "Always in Good Humor." It was during this time that Adams wrote one of his most famous works, the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon." In 1914, he started working for the "New York Tribune" and became the author of the popular column "Conning Tower." During World War I, Adams served in the military intelligence of the US Army and wrote the column "Listening Post" for the news resource "Stars and Stripes." After the war, he returned to the "New York Tribune" and later joined the "New York World" before finally settling at the "New York Herald Tribune" until 1937. He concluded his career as a columnist at the "New York Post" in September 1941.
Conning Tower Column
Adams' column, "Conning Tower," became widely known and featured the works of prominent writers such as Robert Benchley, Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman, John O'Hara, Dorothy Parker, and others. Being featured in Adams' column was a launching pad for many successful careers, as in the case of Dorothy Parker and James Thurber. It is said that Adams made a significant impact on Thurber's career, with Thurber stating, "He lifted me from doggerel." Many of Thurber's poems from the collection "Not So Deep as a Well" (1936) were first published in Adams' column.
Aptronym and Radio Show
Adams is credited with coining the term "aptronym," which refers to a person's name that is fitting for their career or position. However, in 1992, Frank Nuessel translated the term to "aptonym." As a participant on the radio show "Information Please," Adams became an expert on poetry and the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. He always presented the collaboration of librettist and composer as "Sullivan and Gilbert" instead of the traditional "Gilbert and Sullivan." Adams also translated the works of Horace and other ancient authors and collaborated with O. Henry on the musical comedy "Lo."
Legacy and Death
Franklin Pierce Adams passed away on March 23, 1960, in New York City. His life was portrayed in the 1994 film "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle," where he was portrayed by actor Chip Zien. Adams left behind a legacy of wit and humor, with one of his famous quotes being, "To err is human, to forgive is divine."